Fonocal
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Low-End Control

Find the mud. Fix it in one click.

Low-End Control analyses 20–400 Hz, tells you in plain language what is wrong, whether that is strong sub energy, low-mid buildup or a thin low end, and applies a suggested correction you can then fine-tune.

$39One-time payment
Buy Low-End Control
  • Windows: VST3
  • macOS: VST3 and AU, Apple Silicon native
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Free updates for life
Low-End Control plugin window: before-and-after spectrum from 20 to 400 Hz, sub, mud and mid readouts, a plain-language diagnosis, Analyse and Apply buttons, and knobs for mud, tightness, focus, mix and output
Kick mode after analysisDiagnosis: mud and sub both elevated, high confidence

Four steps, no guessing

You do not need to know where mud lives or what a shelf is. Play the track, ask the plugin, read the answer.

  1. Pick a modeMix Bus, Bass, Kick or Drums. The detection thresholds adjust to what the track is.
  2. Play and press AnalyseLoop a loud, representative section. The analyser listens for 2 to 8 seconds, longer on quiet material.
  3. Read the diagnosisWhat was found, the exact frequencies and dB it will apply, and a High, Medium or Low confidence rating.
  4. Press ApplyThe controls move to the suggested values and a banner confirms what changed. Adjust by ear, or leave it.
Low-End Control: the low-frequency spectrum before and after correction, with the sub and mud regions marked Sub, below 120 HzMud, 150–350 Hz 3050100200400 Hz Before After
Before and afterThe plugin shows both curves on the same display, so the change you hear is the change you see.

What it listens for

  • Strong sub energy below 120 Hz
  • Low-mid buildup around 150–350 Hz, the usual source of mud
  • Sub and mud problems at the same time
  • A thin low end with too little low-frequency content
  • A balanced low end. When nothing needs changing, it says so instead of inventing a fix.

What it corrects

  • A low shelf at 80 Hz to tighten the sub
  • A cut at 250 Hz for mud, with a Focus control for surgical or broad
  • A separate narrow cut at the exact booming note it detected

The controls

Analyse sets these for you. They stay fully adjustable afterwards, and the plugin loads with Mud and Tightness at zero so nothing is processed until you ask.

MudPeaking cut at 250 Hz. 0% is no cut, 100% is −15 dB.
TightnessLow shelf cut at 80 Hz. 0% is no cut, 100% is −15 dB.
FocusWidth (Q) of the mud filter. Higher is more surgical.
Sub CutScales the narrow cut at the booming note Analyse found. Lower this first if the low end feels over-cut.
MixDry/wet blend for parallel correction.0 to 100%
OutputLevel trim after processing.−24 to +12 dB

Readouts

Band meters for Sub (30–120 Hz), Mud (150–350 Hz) and Mid Reference (400–800 Hz) show where the energy is, a reduction readout shows how much is being taken out, and every diagnosis carries a High, Medium or Low confidence rating so you know how far to trust it.

The four modes

Mix Bus is slightly conservative so a finished mix is not over-processed. Bass allows for the strong sub a bass naturally has and eases off Tightness to keep its character. Kick tightens aggressively with surgical focus. Drums is balanced across sub and mud for buses and room mics.

What you get

FormatsWindows: VST3. macOS: VST3 and Audio Unit (AU).
System requirementsWindows 10 or 11, 64-bit. macOS 11 Big Sur or later, universal binary: native on Apple Silicon (M1 to M4, no Rosetta) and on Intel.
Current version1.0.30
UpdatesFree for the lifetime of the plugin. Run the new installer; your activation carries over.
Copy protectionLicence key by email. No iLok, no dongle. The plugin sends no telemetry; its only network call is to Fonocal’s licence server during activation.
LicencePerpetual. One purchase, up to 3 machines. Personal and commercial use.
ActivationInternet connection needed once to activate. Works offline afterwards. Device slots are managed in the account portal.
DeliveryLicence key by email after checkout. Installers and the user guide are on the Downloads page.
Price$39 one-time, secure checkout by FastSpring
RefundsFull refund within 30 days of purchase, for any reason.
Supportsupport@fonocal.com, replies within 3 business days.

Questions

Do I need EQ knowledge?

No. The plugin explains what it found in plain language and suggests the values. If you know your way around an EQ you can adjust everything afterwards.

Will it change my sound when nothing is wrong?

No. If the analysis finds a balanced low end, it tells you there is nothing to change.

Which tracks should I put it on?

Anywhere the low end matters: the mix bus, bass, kick and drum buses. Choose the matching mode before you analyse.

How long does the analysis take?

Between 2 and 8 seconds of playback. Loud material with clear low-end character fires at 2 seconds with High confidence; quiet or heavily compressed material takes longer. Below −50 dB it warns you the level is too low for a reliable result.

What if the result feels like too much?

Lower Sub Cut first. That removes only the narrow resonance cut and leaves the broad shaping intact. If it still feels strong, lower Mix for a parallel blend.

Is an internet connection required?

Only once to activate. After that the plugin works offline.

Which DAWs work?

Any VST3 host on Windows or macOS, and any AU host on macOS: Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Studio One, REAPER, FL Studio, Bitwig and GarageBand. Pro Tools (AAX) is not supported.

A clean low end in the time it takes to press two buttons.

Low-End Control, $39 one-time. VST3 and AU for Windows and macOS. 30 days to decide.

Buy Low-End Control Look at Spectral Sidechain